More than Just a Plant: The Importance of Pollinator Gardens in Urban Communities
This blog was written by VCU student Emily Sowah
In today's world, it is essential that we prioritize the care of our environment, not only for our own well-being but also for the organisms that inhabit it. Despite this, many communities still have unused spaces that could be repurposed for environmental benefits, such as the creation of pollinator gardens. A pollinator garden is a type of garden that is composed of plants that are rich in nutrients and nectar, free of harmful chemicals, and provide safe shelter for a variety of insects and animals, including birds. The majority of these plants are indigenous to the area, creating a symbiotic relationship between the plants and the rest of the ecosystem, benefiting all. Native plants are better adapted to the local conditions and require less water for long-term maintenance of these gardens. By creating pollinator gardens, we can help to enhance the health of our environment and promote a sustainable future for all.
Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem, but their populations are declining due to climate change, loss of habitat, and the use of pesticides. That's why pollinator gardens are so important. These gardens are completely free of pesticides, creating a safe haven for pollinators to thrive. By providing habitats for insects and animals, these gardens help reverse the effects of climate change, purify the air and water, and provide sustenance for our food systems. In Virginia, native oaks are particularly beneficial for the environment and food systems. They house hundreds of caterpillar species, which serve as a primary food source for many bird nestlings, such as the Black and White Warbler. The purple coneflower is another native plant that is exceptional at attracting pollinators, thereby increasing the success of these gardens for both the communities and the ecosystem as a whole.
This pollinator garden is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and features a variety of native plants that provide numerous environmental benefits to the area. https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/celebrate-pollinators/
Green spaces and nature within communities have a direct positive impact on the mental health of individuals. In the study "Community Gardening: Stress, Well-Being, and Resilience Potentials," it was found that green spaces in urban areas are linked to stress relief and restoration, and spending time in nature has been shown to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms (Koay, 2020). Pollinator gardens not only offer a space for stress relief but also provide opportunities for students to have hands-on experiences with nature, enhancing their education. In the study titled "The School Garden: A Social and Emotional Place," it was found that students who have responsibilities in a garden are more motivated, positive, and engaged in the classroom and beyond (Pollin, 2021). Exposure to nature has been shown to decrease stress levels in individuals, particularly those under high stress. Moreover, the process of creating and maintaining a pollinator garden can be mentally restorative, providing tranquility and a connection with nature that can improve mental health for all involved.
Highland Support Project has partnered with Richmond Community High School to establish a pollinator garden as a foundation for the community. In 2023, HSP plans to extend this initiative to other Richmond Public Schools by launching a campaign for pollinator gardens at several middle and high schools. Participating in community gardening projects like this has many benefits for young people, including improved concentration, better stress management, and higher test scores. Additionally, these projects have the power to bring people together and provide an opportunity for students to get involved with their environment early on. For those wondering how to start a pollinator garden, here are a few steps to get started:
Write a proposal for the pollinator garden and find others who share your sentiments and motivations to create one.
Detail how the garden will benefit your specific community and how it can be enjoyed by the public in order to increase your chances of getting the proposal approved.
Look for unused plots of land in your urban environment that receive plenty of sunlight and have patches of soil that can support the plants that will be grown.
Conduct research into which plants are native to the area and which insects and animals can benefit from them. Look for a nearby nursery that contains these native plants.
Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure that the garden remains in use for pollinators year-round.
Decide whether to use seeds or small plants to begin the gardening process.
Begin the gardening process by watering your plants and waiting for them to bloom into a beautiful garden.
Sources:
https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/organizing-an-educational-community-pollinator-garden
https://www.planning.org/pas/quicknotes/96/climate-resilient-pollinator-gardens/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7558991/
https://today.tamu.edu/2022/05/18/the-positive-effects-of-gardening-on-mental-health/
https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden
https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/celebrate-pollinators/
https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/planting-natives-to-attract-pollinators-and-birds
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.567720/full